I. Diplomatic relations
The Hellenic Republic is represented in the Federal Republic of Germany by the Greek Embassy in Berlin. Apart from the Embassy there are eight General Consulates operating in Germany (Hamburg, Hannover, Cologne, Leipzig, Munich, Dsseldorf, Stuttgart, and Frankfurt) along with the Consular section of the Embassy in Berlin, and an Honorary Consulate in Nuremberg.
The first Greek Embassy in Berlin was established in 1834, when Berlin was the capital of the Kingdom of Prussia.
II. Framework of Treaties
Some of the bilateral treaties worthy of note include:
1. Bilateral Cultural Agreement, 17.05.1956
2. Treaty of Residence and Shipping, 02.09.1961, which also addresses military conscription matters for persons with dual nationality
3. Agreement for the avoidance of double taxation, 18.04.1966
III. Political relations
On the political level, relations between Greece and Germany are on a sound basis, and are improving steadily, with close collaboration enjoyed in all areas. Both countries are members of the E.U. and of NATO. In the context of international organizations they collaborate smoothly, and support each other in their candidacies.
In the course of the last two years there were following high level visits took place:
- 22.1.04 : Visit of former Foreign Minister Mr.G. Papandreou
- 3.12.04 : Visit of former Foreign Minister Mr.P. Molyviatis
- 15-16.2.06 : Visit of Prime Minister Mr. K. Karamanlis and Foreign Minister Ms. D. Bakoyannis
- 29-30.5.06: Visit of the Deputy Foreign Minister Y. Valinakis
- 23.6.06: Visit of the Foreign Minister of Germany, Mr. Steinmeier
- 9-11.7.06: Visit of the Deputy Foreign Minister, Mr. T. Kassimis to Munich
IV. Economic and Trade relations
Germany is Greeces most important trade partner. It is the main destination for Greek exports (12.4% of the total value of Greek exports during the first 8 months of 2005) and remains the basic source of goods imported into Greece (13.4% of the total value of Greek imports during the first 8 months of 2005). The balance of trade is negative for Greece.
Up to 2003 inclusive, German direct investments in Greece amounted to a total of 1.5billion euros. Thus, Germany ranks fourth amongst foreign investors in Greece. There are 140 German owned companies or ones with German equity participation in Greece, chiefly involved in chemicals and pharmaceuticals, electrical engineering, textiles, metals, telecommunications, transport, tourism, insurance, banking, and trade.
Greek direct investments in Germany remain relatively low. Greek capital invested in Germany up until 2003 did not exceed 300m euros. Within the Federal Republic of Germany there are a small number of Greek businesses that are mainly active in trade and the services sector.
Greece continues to be one of the main destinations for the German tourist market. An average of two million Germans visit Greece annually.
V. Cultural relations
The bilateral Cultural Agreement of 17.05.1956 provides the framework for bilateral cultural relations between Greece and the Federal Republic of Germany.
There are 34 chairs of Greek studies in German Universities, several of which are subsidised by the Greek Government. The agency responsible for promoting Hellenic culture in Germany is the branch of the Hellenic Culture Foundation that was established in Berlin in 1995.
VI . The Greek Community
There over 380,000 Greeks in Germany. A marked Greek presence is to be found in the Lnder of Bavaria, Baden-Wrtenberg and Northern Rheinland-Westphalia. There are several strictly Greek schools in Germany, as well as German schools that include Greek language teaching in their curriculum. There are also two state-run bilingual European Schools in Berlin.
VII. Embassy & Consular Missions Details